Finance Manager

The post is based at our East of England district office at Santon Downham, Norfolk. although the successful candidate will be required to travel nationally for meetings or training as appropriate which may include the possibility of an overnight stay.
+ Lead the Finance and Business Support Service in support of our mission and vision, providing informed financial advice and business acumen to be able to move the business interests of the district forward.
+ You will be responsible for managing the districts business planning cycle, management accounts, tax queries as well as other ad hoc duties.
+ Provide monthly finance reports and use your professional skills to help us to review and continuously improve our financial position.
+ Lead a business support team of 10-12 staff supported by operational managers who report directly to you.
+ Plan an active role int he district's Senior Leadership Team and build collaborative and supportive relationships with operational colleagues, the national finance team and other finance managers., Lead the Finance and Business Support team to enable the district to improve financial performance; maintain and improve business systems; and provide support to functional teams. Analyse and provide strategic finance advice and other data that will assist in the decision making and added value. As part of the district Senior Management Team, work with the district Forest Management Director to provide financial assurance and delivery of key economic targets.
Duties, Responsibilities and Key Work Areas:
Management accounting:
+ Work closely with the Forest Management Director to drive financial performance in line with strategic objectives and establishing a commercial mindset throughout the team.
+ Support the district in continuously improving its financial position within the context of Forestry England's strategic objectives.
+ Lead on the submission of annual business plans and monthly management accounts and forecasts.
+ Build collaborative and supportive relationships with budget managers across the district, supporting them in accessing and interpreting financial data.
+ Support sound business and financial decision making across all functions, and provide financial performance analysis supporting short, medium and long term planning.
+ Assist colleagues in monitoring the financial performance of district business partners.
+ Work with the stakeholders to ensure effective systems for assessing the financial aspects of project proposals and monitoring projects involving the use of third-party funds.
+ Assist with National Office reporting and projects where applicable.
Leading and management:
+ Report directly to the Forest Management Director taking an active role along with other heads of function in realising the district's vision.
+ Provide leadership to the Business Support team and develop the strategic direction of the service.
+ Build collaborative and supportive relationships with operational colleagues, the national finance team and other District Finance Managers.
Administration and financial control:
+ Lead the Business Support team ensuring compliance with corporate governance procedures, financial controls and risk management.
+ Provide professional judgement and advice on financial and business improvement initiatives.
+ Any other tasks, reasonably requested by your line manager., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Leadership
+ Seeing the Big Picture, As part of the applications process, you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement as follows:
1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
2. A personal statement (no longer than 500 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift - to be confirmed
Interviews 26th & 27th November
Interviews will take place at our district office, Santon Downham and will be assessed against experience and the listed Behaviours.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Forestry Commission from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
This role is full-time. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Reasonable adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via FCERecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
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+ Experience in providing management accounting services, including: budgetary control; analysing finance performance and identifying income and cost drivers; analysing variances and forecasting; and identifying and supporting the delivery of organisational efficiencies and/or cost reductions.
+ Experience in financial report writing including supporting commentary.
+ A high level of skill in using MS Office, with particular proficiency in Excel and Word.
+ Experience with financial systems.
+ Managing staff and team leadership
Desirable Professional and Technical experience:
+ Experience of developing investment business cases.
+ Experience in managing procurement and knowledge of legislation around financial and procurement regulations.
Desirable Skills
A recognised finance qualification with a registered accountancy body (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent, fully qualified).
Significant demonstrably experience within a prior Senior Financial Management role.
A high level of skill in the use of Microsoft Excel, and competent with other Microsoft products.
IT literate, with knowledge and experience of key management accounting packages.
Excellent report writing and presentation skills., + Fully chartered in accountancy with a recognised IFAC (International Federation of Accountants) member body (ICEW, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, ICAS, IFA). AAT is also accepted, but there must be progress towards a fully chartered membership of another body. Significant relevant experience equivalent to that level of qualification is also accepted., A recognised finance qualification with a registered accountancy body (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent, fully qualified)

Forestry England is an organisation like no other. Our strong values and shared ambition to connect everyone with the nation's forests underpin all that we do.
We are uniquely placed to confront the climate emergency, tackle and nature crisis, and support the nation's health and wellbeing. Working for Forestry England is to be part of the solution to the challenges of our generation.

Alongside your salary of £45,260, Forestry Commission contributes £13,111 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role
+ An environment with flexible working options
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%